Heat’s Udonis Haslem pays emotional visit to Surfside
Heat’s Haslem pays emotional visit to Surfside
“For me, being a part of Miami and staying in Miami. was never about basketball. It’s always bigger than basketball for me. And this breaks my heart.”
— Udonis Haslem, Heat captain on the collapse of a condo building in Surfside.
Udonis Haslem again emphasized Wednesday that his place in the South Florida community transcends his role as captain of the Miami Heat, as he made an emotional visit to the site of the condominium collapse in Surfside.
“It’s emotional for me,” Haslem said as he paid his respects to lives lost, offered hope for those unaccounted for, and thanked responders who have been on site for nearly a week.
“It’s hard to fight back the feeling,” Haslem said, “the pain, and the tears.”
The Heat were among the initial partners in the fundraising effort for those impacted by the disaster, also helping in the coordination and distribution of meals and supplies. Guard Tyler Herro and Heat assistant coaches Chris Quinn and Eric Glass were among the first from South Florida’s sports teams to arrive on the scene last week.
“For me, being a part of Miami and staying in Miami,” said Haslem, a native of Miami and resident of Southwest Ranches, “was never about basketball. It’s always bigger than basketball for me.
“And this breaks my heart.” Haslem, 41, coming off his 18th season with the Heat, has spent the past two summers deeply involved in community efforts, including last summer’s social-justice initiatives.
On Wednesday, accompanied by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, he hung a floral wreath at the Wall of the Missing and posted a handwritten message there that ended, “We pray for peace for all the families.”
He then walked down Collins Avenue thanking first responders and spent time at the World Central Kitchen food truck that is helping feed the responders.
“As captain of this team, and as a leader of one in this city, I ask that we all come together,” Haslem said, “and we support SupportSurfside.org and we give as much as we can and we do as much as we can to help the people involved.”
Of the anguish of those awaiting word on the fate of loved ones, Haslem said, “We’re just going to continue to pray for everybody. I pray every night; I’m going to continue to pray. I’ve been praying since I was a kid. It’s worked for me so far. So I’m just going to continue to pray.”
Levine Cava said the visit by the 6-foot-8, 235-pound three-time champion power forward was particularly meaningful.
“We’re so grateful for a towering man to come and show his love and support for the community,” she said. “The whole world is watching us here in Surfside, and this is just a small moment that signifies the magnitude of this event.”
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra expressed similar heartache last week.
“We’re thinking of all the families and everybody up there in Surfside,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are for all the families up there and all the first responders that are helping out.
“It’s just really horrible to see.”